Rotifers in arctic North America with particular reference to their role in microplankton community structure and response to ecosystem perturbationsin Alaskan Arctic LTER lakes

Growing interest in the development of mineral and recreational resources, along with the recognition that arctic ecosystems may be among those most a ffected by global change, has stimulated the study of arctic systems in rec ent decades. These have included studies of rotifers. Two approaches have g enerally been pursued: taxonomic studies to determine the number and specie s of individuals, and ecological studies that have attempted to determine t he trophic relationships between rotifers and other microorganisms in aquat ic ecosystems. Results from studies at the Arctic Long Term Ecological Rese arch Site in Alaska, USA are reviewed and the microbial food web is describ ed based on empirical and literature data. Arctic systems are sites of rich opportunity for further studies, especially those which can integrate taxo nomic and ecological aspects.